It would’ve been fantastic to have a Mud Mat from Born Outdoor the time the parking lot was cold and wet when I wanted to change socks. Or when the ground was muddy. Or the time my feet hurt after a trail run, and I stepped on a pebble and caught myself before yelping “Motherffffffffudgesicle!” since others were nearby.
Having a portable, durable and incredibly lightweight Mud Mat to stand on sounds like a luxury. Maybe it is. I don’t care. I love having one.
The Mud Mat is made from 100-percent 600 denier poly oxford ripstop fabric. You’re not going to tear it. I’d be shocked if anything poked through it with normal use. Standing on dirt, asphalt, gravel, sand or other normal things isn’t going to affect it. Obviously, if you shoved a knife or nail through it you’d have a problem. No one does that, though. For normal use, it’s virtually indestructable.
The Mud Mat also has a durable waterproof coating, officially known as C6 DWR TPU. This coating process is environmentally better than older versions and works like a champ. Water doesn’t penetrate, which means mud doesn’t get through, either.
OK, It’s Just a Mat
Some may think: “Ehhh, whatever. It’s just a mat.”
That’s fine. I have thoughts like that about other things. But there are times when I’m done with a run — road or trail — or bike ride and need to clean up or change. Shoes, socks, maybe shorts and such. I’d rather do that than jump into the truck as a big ol’ sweaty blob. When I’m out fishing or hunting, especially when in waders and boots that I need to shuck, it’s good to have a mat.
A towel may work to stand on but not in wet conditions. Gotta eventually wash a towel, too. With the Mud Mat, you just shake or brush it off, fold it up and go.
The Mud Mat weighs just 113 grams — that’s .25 of a pound, barely any weight at all. It’s 33 inches long by 27 wide, which is plenty of space to stand, towel off, change or whatever is needed. It was great to have at the Troublesome Hollow 50K to change socks and shoes afterward before the drive to the hotel.
It also could double as a mat for pet food and water dishes, or to clean a pet, or for a “take off your muddy stuff here” spot for the kids. Lot of possibilities exist with this nifty product, which costs just $25. Check it out here at Born Outdoors.
